Hardware Stores were added to the list of businesses that have to close as the province removed some businesses as essential as Toronto encourages people to maintain physical distances as he combats the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto. April 5, 2020. Steve Russell/Toronto Star

The federal government has released additional details on its new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program for organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This program will offer a wage subsidy of up to $847 per week per employee between March 15 and June 6. Funding will be available to all private-sector employers who saw their revenues decrease by 15% in March 2020 or 30% in April and May.

In addition, eligible employers will receive a 100% refund for certain employer-paid contributions to EI, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, and the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan for employees on paid leave.

Applications will be accepted through organizations’ existing accounts on the CRA website. However, the date when applications will open has yet to be announced.